[owning, fixing and driving a Snapper's era Buick]

Hey Joe:  You have me thinking and it hurts.  How can this ever have worked but the system must have since Buick installed it and others too.  The acetylene headlamp requires one PSI to light up correctly, more than that and you could break the mirrors and melt the solder holding the lamp together.  To start the engine with acetylene from cold, you open the valve which floods all the cylinders, The gas is heavier than air, so I suppose it stays in the combustion chamber and not migrate past the engines open valves.  The cylinder which is in firing position would have the valves closed and the piston would have to be past TDC so the cylinder could accept a small charge of acetylene and not try to run backwards.  I would have to use a dual magneto, which I don't have, use a battery and coil, (which I have), to create a spark at the plugs.  The rotor must be in contact with the sparkplug, remember nothing is rotating, moving.  How can acetylene enter the chamber when there is 60 pounds of compressed fuel?  Think I will just leave it alone, great discussion item and polished brass, too.

[owning, fixing and driving a Snapper's era Buick]

Arrived home for Hershey Friday night, a successful trip.  Interesting occurrence, I'll relate after a short setup.  In 1912 Charles Kettering invented the electric starting, ignition and lighting for Cadillac.  Most car makers installed it on their products in 1913, not Buick.  In 1913 Buick had an acetylene starter.  In 1914 Buick joined the wisdom of starter/generators.   I've seen many cars with complete or missing parts for the acetylene starter and know of no one who thinks it is a good idea to flood their combustion chambers explosive gas and set it off with a spark, me too.

 

To the present, my Model 31 has the parts which connect to the engine but not the dashboard mounted valve and my friend with the same car has a valve but not the engine parts.  Well, he finds a compete Disco starter for sale at Hershey, buys it, and offers me the valve for my car and keeps the primer cups and tubes for his car.  We split the cost, and both have the complete system.  Though to make the cars look great, neither one of us is going to light it up.

 

In the photos are his tubes and primers and the second is my valve.  BTW, it was expensive, but it's only money.

 

Regards, Gary

 

 

 

 

[1905 Cadillac Model F]

Arrived home from Pennsylvania nearly midnight Friday with my Cadillac purchases.  Mostly a variety of oilers I was missing, also found a wrench to fit the hubcaps and other bits of antique hardware.  I bought a reproduction floor mat, bulb horn and tires, tubes on back order.  It was good to sit in on the Early Cadillac Group meeting in the HCCA tent Wednesday morning and listen to the lively discussions as well as meeting the members who share our new interest in one-cylinder cars.  We name all of our cars, and my wife calls the Cadillac, O.C.  Short for One Cylinder.

 

We had a discussion and a tour from the Curved Dash Oldsmobile guys, I am a member of their club too, about a car which was available.  Alas, my friend bought it.  I am in no position for another vehicle, however, the opportunity to get a CDO doesn't come around every day.  Sorry to miss purchasing the car.

 

Also met and watched a fellow from Ohio cool off and blow down his 1901 Locomobile steam car.  I joined their Facebook group for Locomobiles because my friend just acquired one and I hope he asks me to help him get it on the road.

 

Regards, Gary

 

 

 

 

[1905 Cadillac Model F]

In my last Project I had a restoration thread in the Buick section of the AACA Forums.  I recently acquired a 1905 Cadillac from a good friend which had been resting a museum for the past ten years.  I know the history of this Cadillac back into the 1950's, this car drove on the first Canada Cross Country Tour for our Centennial in 1967.  The Cadillac was in running order when parked in the Museum and my first order of business is to photograph it from every angle, then I have new tires I am picking up in Hershey next week and I placed an order with Restoration Supply in California.

 

The photos show the car as found, correct Brewster Green and Primrose.  Cadillac Automobile Co from 1903 to 1905, then consolidated to present Cadillac Motor Co.  The car has aftermarket horn, lamps and acetylene generator.  The rear tonneau has been missing since the 1950's, I hope to remedy this over the years.

 

Regards, Gary

 

[owning, fixing and driving a Snapper's era Buick]

AACA Snappers on tour in Historic Chatham Kent last week, here are photos of some of the cars.

 

Regards, Gary

['25 Nash Touring - back to the road we go, with a twist!]

My wife, Beverly, is a very good navigator and tourist though I know her favourite is the Old Car Festival.  I am pulling for you.

 

Regards, Gary

[What are you working on right now?]

Working on the paperwork and final reports for a 5-day Snapper's Pre '16 Tour called Historic Chatham Kent.

 

Regards, Gary

 

[Raise your hand if you drove at least one old Buick this weekend]

We don't do car shows, out cruising with my friends.  Left to right, 40 HP 1912 McIntyre, our 1913 30 HP model 31 and a 20 HP 1914 Ford. We have a friend who often says, " Why would you want to play golf when there are old cars to drive."

 

Gary

 

 

[HERSHEY 2022- what are you bringing and what are you hunting?]

A rear tonneau for a 1905 Cadillac Model F with a Pontiac body.

[What are you working on right now?]

I had a restoration shop called Classic Coachworks rebuild the muffler for my 1915 McLaughlin.  I sourced the pipes from a heavy truck store, the results are too nice to hide under the car.

 

Regards, Gary

 

[1911 Model 14 or 1910 Model 10 as first car]

Richard_D;  Thanks for the response.  I agree with you a non running car should cost less.  I would not want an uncle coming over to start the engines of my car, please leave the car alone until you get it home.  Take your time to learn about them and tinker.

 

I suggest you try this, with a sincere desire to acquire one of the cars, meet with the person who is the authorized seller, do not run the condition of the cars down, even compliment them, and bring a cheque or cash and make a fair offer to purchase that day.  Convince the owner you are the best person to love his car and price sometimes becomes secondary.

 

Anything can be repaired and painted, but you need to buy the car.

 

Happy hunting, Gary

[D35 serial number]

According to Standard Catalogue of Buick a D35 is a four cyl 1917 touring car.  Serial Number quoted is realistic for 1917, too.

 

Happy Hunting, Gary

[1911 Model 14 or 1910 Model 10 as first car]

Gee, I wonder what happened here?  Did Richard acquire a car, are they available to anyone?  Ask for help and nothing, common for the forums.  Gary

[Raise your hand if you drove at least one old Buick this weekend]

There was a gas lamp parade at the Old Car Festival Saturday night.  Gary

 

 

[Gas light parade, Old Car Festival in Greenfield Village]

Saturday night at dusk Greenfield Village hosted the gas light parade at the Old Car Festival and I snapped a few photos.  Here are a few without identifiable faces.  The first is our 1913 Buick with acetylene headlamps glowing.

Regards, Gary

 

[1916 D-45 BUICK START-UP]

Yes Terry:  455 Oldsmobile engine, th425, front wheel drive, 26 feet long.  Built in Pontiac Mi, from 1973 to 1978, GM produced nearly 13,000 of them and about 9,000 are still on the road.  There is a whole hobby around these coaches.  Bev and I just acquired this one in June from the second owner and are enjoying it.  Gary

[1916 D-45 BUICK START-UP]

Because you asked for it, not to hijack.  Gary

 

 

[1916 D-45 BUICK START-UP]

A leisurely drive, a picnic with the Mrs. on Labour Day.  Life is grand, you lucky guy.  My wife and I drove our 1976 GMC motorhome to the lake and had our lunch, too.  We share the luck.   Gary   

[How far have you traveled to purchase a car?]

I only buy vehicles form people I know.  Last purchase 45 minutes, the one before that 4 four hours.  Gary

[Question about vehicles deaccessioned from the AACA Museum]

For your education, and not likely consideration, because it is a Canadian car and I want it to remain here.  A 1915 McLaughlin C-25 touring car, just completed a six year restoration, new everything, running, licensed on the road. $24,000- 25,000 USD.  Eligible for pre '16 events, known history from new.

 

I have always like the front fender line from Nash, I don't like it is red, resale red.

 

Regards, Gary

 

 

 

[1911 Model 14 or 1910 Model 10 as first car]

From the photos, buy them both.  Model 14 for the Lansing to Dearborn Endurance Run and the Model 10 for everything else.  Good find, do it today and avoid heartache and competition.

 

Regards, Gary

[Club Ride in Princeton NJ on 8/24/22??]

What Larry says, me too.  Gary

 

The Snapper's Brass and Gas touring region of the AACA also is participating in the Lansing to Dearborn Endurance run and coming to Chatham, On in September then the Hershey Hangover for three days after Hershey in October.  Mid winter meeting in Florida then touring season begins anew.  About, some 300 members active in Pre '16 vehicles and one and two cylinder too.  Good group.

[Raise your hand if you drove at least one old Buick this weekend]

Moving cars around, here is my 1905 Cadillac with my 1913 Buick.  Gary

 

[My Thoughts on the Gooding Auction, Aug. 20, 2022]

I was watching one particular car at Goodings and when I searched results it sold for 50% more than the low estimate and 20% more than the high number.  Not good for me, there is a similar car I am wanting to buy and it is likely out of my means.  Bummer.

 

Regards, Gary

[1916 D-45 BUICK START-UP]

Terry;  Congratulations, she looks great.  We have the same philosophy, stay close to home, short drives, repair items you find, and sort the car out before you go out in public.  It's wonderful completing a tour with a new car that did not leave you sitting on the side of the road.

 

Regards, Gary